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Bellingham Town News

Feb 27, 2022 11:27AM ● By Chuck Tashjian
 On January 19th, 2022, State Rep. Michael Soter and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) announced that the towns of Blackstone and Millville as well as the Bellingham School District were included in the FY22 Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant program.  
Municipal and public-school employees participating in this year’s program will gain access to critical cybersecurity training materials to best prepare the Commonwealth’s local workforce to identify, avoid, and defend against cyber-attack techniques most commonly used by cyber attackers in an attempt to gain access to government and public-school IT infrastructure, networks, and sensitive data. The overall purpose of the program is to promote good ‘cyber hygiene’ and to extend vital cybersecurity offerings to partners in local government. 
With this release, the Bellingham Public School District will be able to train 50 of their employees. Bellingham Receives 2022 Municipal Cybersecurity Awareness Grant

Bellingham to Get Funding for Two Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Ports

  In an effort to create additional infrastructure across the Commonwealth, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced that $100,000 in funding has been awarded to Irving Oil Marketing Inc. in Bellingham under the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) to install Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) electric vehicle charging ports at Irving Oil Marketing’s location. The MassEVIP DCFC program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), provides grants covering 100 percent of the eligible cost to acquire and install publicly accessible DCFC electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at government-owned properties and 80 percent at all other locations, up to $50,000 per charging port. 
“I am thrilled to see this innovative and environmentally-friendly step being taken to allow for owners of electric vehicles in our communities to have access to fast charging ports,” said State Representative Michael J. Soter. “I look forward to working with the Governor’s office and the Massachusetts Department of Education Protection to ensure further funding is brought to Bellingham and the whole 8th Worcester District.” 
“Our administration understands the importance of reliable infrastructure supporting the Commonwealths energy future,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Today’s announcement is a step towards the increased deployment of these clean vehicles, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and public health, enhance energy diversity and promote economic growth.” 
MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water and land – to provide for the health, safety and welfare of all people, and a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth, provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities served by the agency. 

Metrowest Visitors Bureau Announces Mini Grant Program

The MetroWest Visitors Bureau (MWVB) announced today that their annual mini grant program is now accepting applications. Designed for marketing projects that will promote tourism in MetroWest, mini grants are available for funds up to $5,000 each. The MWVB will consider applications for projects devoted to marketing a MetroWest event, attraction, business, service, or cultural or recreational offering. 
The applicant does not need to be a 501(c)3 charitable organization but must be based in one of the 19 towns that comprise MetroWest or be devoted to attracting potential visitors to those 19 towns.
Eligible projects include brochures, print or online advertising, social media, websites, apps, and other print materials. The marketing project must be targeted, at least partially, at potential visitors who live more than 50 miles from the event or business location. 
Grant applications can be submitted at www.bit.ly/minigrant2022and will be reviewed on a rolling basis from now until April 1. Awarded grant funds must be spent prior to June 30, 2022. 
For questions, or to discuss your project idea prior to submitting an application, please contact MWVB Executive Director Erin Lynch at [email protected].
The MetroWest Visitors Bureau promotes travel and tourism throughout the 19 towns of the MetroWest region: Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westborough. For more information, please visit the MWVB website at www.metrowestvisitors.org.
• Twitter: twitter.com/VisitMetroWest
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